Transformation of Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures under Moldova’s DCFTA with the European Union

Tatiana Savva

Transformation of Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary measures under Moldova’s DCFTA with the European Union

Moldova engaged in an unprecedented process of economic restructuring by signing with the European Union the Association Agreement and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA), where agriculture is one of the priority intervention areas, implying requirements in the sanitary and phytosanitary areas. Although, progress has been made, the existing opportunities for Moldovan agri-food exports are largely conditioned by the need to meet EU’s high standards of food quality and safety. Besides the incomplete alignment of the national food safety system with the EU rules, there is a shortage of quality infrastructure, which is almost non-existent in some sectors. Moreover, the cost of compliance with new market requirements is high for producers. This delays the needed changes for almost all Moldovan animal products (except for honey) to be accepted by EU.